Adoption is one of those things that sounds almost impossible until it happens. Then, suddenly, it makes perfect sense.
My parents’ story begins long before that moment. April grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and Jason grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At 20, Jason moved to North Carolina and, in a twist of fate, met April at a phone booth in Gastonia. Within six weeks, he proposed—and they were married. They’ve been inseparable ever since.
April and Jason Grimes are the most incredible people I’ve ever known. They were born to be parents. Married in 1997 at 17 and 21, they began building their family soon after. In 1999, they welcomed their first daughter, Alexis. While money was never abundant, they never let finances limit their ability to be exceptional parents.
Almost two years later, they had another child—Jordan, who happens to be me. My mom stayed home with us, while my dad worked tirelessly on a concrete crew, the same job he holds today. In 2006, they added a third daughter, Katie, completing our family of five. At the time, the thought of having a son felt out of reach. For years, our family seemed complete… until life had other plans.
In 2015, April began working at the Department of Social Services as a caseworker. She quickly became drawn to advocating for children who couldn’t defend themselves. But to become a licensed social worker herself, she needed a Bachelor’s in Social Work. Juggling full-time work, parenting three girls, and school seemed impossible, so the dream paused.
Fast forward to 2019. April felt a pull toward foster care. Friends and family were skeptical—three kids, full-time jobs—it seemed reckless. But April has always been known for bold ideas. She signed up for foster-parent classes anyway. At first, Jason was hesitant, but within two classes, he was hooked. They learned not just the logistics of fostering and adoption, but also gained new insight into their own childhoods and the traumas they had experienced.
By January 2019, they were officially licensed foster parents. The wait for a child could be months—or it could be immediate. They were open to a range of ages but hoped for a young child. That same month, April took another leap of faith and enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Work program at Liberty University, eager to start classes before a foster call came.
Just over a month later, on February 21, 2019, they received a call: a baby boy had been born three days prior. His mother had struggled with substance use during pregnancy and had no family to care for him. My parents hesitated—April was just starting college and battling the flu—but they both happened to have the day off. It felt like a miracle.
Jason took a moment in the garage to process the call. Their new, larger vehicle could handle their growing family. April’s health and schedule were concerns, but Jason returned inside and said, “April, call them back. Tell them yes.”
The social workers needed someone at the hospital within two hours. My parents rushed to gather essentials, arriving home just before my younger sisters and I got out of school. Seeing the bags and car seats, we knew something big was about to happen. My dad started crying, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions. Families usually have months to prepare for a newborn, but we had only hours.
We drove to the hospital, leaving my sisters and me to ready the house. Within the hour, a photo arrived from my mom: “Meet your brother, Jacob.” He was everything we hoped for—and more.
Jacob’s mother continues her battle with substance abuse, so he wasn’t able to stay with her. While we hope to one day build a relationship so he can know the amazing woman who brought him into the world, we maintain contact with his aunt and cousin, who is only three weeks older than him.
In March 2021, we received confirmation: Jacob’s adoption was complete. He had been with us since birth, but now he was officially ours. The joy we felt is impossible to describe. Jacob brought a light and laughter we hadn’t realized was missing. My dad jokes that now there’s someone to carry on our family name, having only had daughters before.
Jacob is everything a brother could be—smart, loving, adventurous, and wild. He is adored by all of us, and he recently discovered he’s going to be an uncle! Most importantly, he filled a space in our family we didn’t know was empty.
Now, both my mom and I work as social workers for Child Protective Services, advocating for children just like Jacob. This journey has brought us closer than we ever imagined. It has taught me that family isn’t defined by blood—it’s defined by love, courage, and the willingness to open your heart.
